The iconic Madden series has been a staple with gaming and
football fans alike
since its inception, with fans of the franchise eagerly await the release of the
new title each year. After all, what's better than getting together with a
friend or two, starting a game, and smack talking after every big play? Madden 17
aims to fulfill that need in the same way that its predecessors did. While many
Madden titles simply feel like a roster update, Madden 17 aims to change the way
some of the fundamental elements of the game are played, while also retaining
the same tried and true mechanics of previous titles.

The commentating has never been better
with this iteration of Madden, with EA Sports recruiting Brandon Gaudin and
Charles Davis to do the voice work. Both commentators are excellent, providing
good football information to the player, while maintaining a witty and
conversational tone at the same time. Animations and ball-carrier movements have
been updated as well, adding realism to specific players on the field. Players
can only make specific moves based on their physical capabilities, giving fans
that scream for a non-arcade experience something to sink their teeth into. The
ability to force fumbles against a ball carrier has been added, allowing the
ability to stop the run.

The defensive lineups have been updated, becoming noticeably more intelligent in
the process. Players will now close holes in the defense more accurately, and
overall coverage appears to be more true to a real NFL game. With the catching
abilities toned down to match a receiver's actual statistics, defenses do a
better job at stopping the run. Don't expect the ability to lob the ball to a
mediocre receiver and score a touchdown every time. EA Sports has aimed to make
Madden 17 more realistic, so managing your expectations and team correctly is
pivotal this time around. Blocking punts and
field goals are possible now,
although it doesn't appear that the effect can be repeated on an every case
basis.

Graphics have been updated
for Madden 17, as is always expected by fans of the franchise. Many new players
have had their faces scanned and added to the title, removing most of the
generic player likenesses for lesser-known talents. This technology has
definitely helped give the title a more authentic feel. With a 1080p resolution,
at times you'll do a double-take at the TV to make sure you're not actually
watching a live NFL game.
Sound effects have also been greatly improved.
Tackles, pile-ups, and collisions all sound different depending on the severity.

While many mechanics of the game have been improved for realism, there are some
issues that Madden 17 hasn't addressed yet. Injuries cannot occur while players
are away from the ball. Unchanged from previous titles, offensive linemen also
cannot be injured during a game. In the NFL, injuries that happen away from the
ball are common. Linemen get hurt. Luckily, there is an injury slider in Madden
17 which allows you to bump this feature up to a more realistic level. Clock
stoppages have always been an issue with Madden titles as well, and the current
iteration still leaves something to be desired. If a player runs out of bounds,
the game clock doesn't always stop. This could force the use of an unwanted
timeout, or kill the momentum for the offensive team at a key moment in the
game. Roster creation and customization is available, but unfortunately hasn't
changed much from Madden 16.

Overall, Madden 17 is a good title in the series.
EA Sports has added features
that greatly enhance the realism during a game, but still have some work to do.
Whether playing on an Xbox One or
Playstation 4, the game looks fantastic, and
the visual updates are noticeable. Any gamers who watch football and own a
current-gen console will definitely want to pick this title up for the 2016-2017
NFL season.